Guatemala is famed for its national bird, the stunning resplendent quetzal, and its remarkable Mayan sites, such as those at Tikal and Yaxca, whose Mayan pyramids are surrounded by luxuriant tropical rainforest full of wildlife that includes monkeys and regional endemic species of birds such as orange-breasted falcon, bat falcon and ocellated turkey.

ItineraryFurther info

Itinerary

Day 1Fly to Guatemala City, transfer to Antigua

Fly from London to Guatemala City International Airport, from where we transfer to our hotel near Antigua. Depending on our arrival time we have a welcome dinner.

Accommodation: Antigua, 2-nights on full board basis.

Day 2Birdwatching at Finca El Pilar

This morning we go birdwatching at Finca El Pilar, where we should find several species of hummingbirds and warblers. After lunch, the options are resting or birdwatching around the hotel or visit Antigua for sightseeing and an introduction to Guatemalan culture.

Day 3Birdwatching at Tecpan, continue to Santiago Atitlan

Departing early, it is an hour's drive to Tecpan, where we have a traditional Guatemalan breakfast. Birdwatching in Tecpan is very productive and we aim to find some of the interesting endemic species of the north Central American highlands such as pink-headed warbler, rufous-browed wren and amethyst throated hummingbird. Various warblers may be found such as Townsend’s, Tennessee, Wilson's, black-and-white, hermit and crescent-chested. However the stars are most likely to be slate-throated redstart and the beautiful pink-headed warbler. After a productive morning, we move on to Santiago Atitlan, which is situated on Lake Atitlan. Birdwatching around the hotel gardens and lake will bring more new species.

Accommodation: Santiago Atitlan, 1-night on full board basis.

Day 4Drive to Los Tarrales Reserve

Two morning options depend on individual preference and fitness levels:Option 1: For the fit and energetic – Boat ride to San Pedro La Laguna where we climb San Pedro Volcano to search for horned guan and other interesting species.Option 2: Anyone who doesn’t wish to hike up the volcano can enjoy good birding around the hotel and along the edge of the lake. There is also an easy walk into the town to experience Mayan culture and buy souvenirs.

After lunch we drive to the hills of the Pacific slope for our two night stay at a private reserve and birdwatching around the gardens of the estate, where we may see cinnamon hummingbird.

Accommodation: Los Tarrales Reserve, 2-nights on full board basis.

Day 5Volcan Atitlan

An early start for the drive up the slopes of Volcan Atitlan to look for azure-rumped tanager, rufous sabrewing, emerald-chinned hummingbird, flycatchers, orioles and doves – among other species of the highlands. We have our lunch back at the lodge. In the afternoon we visit another area of the estate in the hope of seeing species such as white-bellied chachalaca, yellow-naped parrot, and rufous-breasted spinetail.

Days 6-7Quetzal Biotope Reserve

Depending on how we did the previous day, this morning we visit areas to seek out long-tailed manakin, mottled owl and yellow-throated euphonia. Later in the day we transfer to Quetzal Biotope Reserve, near Coban.

The next day we have an early start to look for resplendent quetzal and other birds of the cloud forest. Later in the morning, we drive a short way down the mountain to visit an estate which offers a different range of species. We round off the day with more birdwatching at the Quetzal Biotope Reserve.

Accommodation: Quetzal Biotope Reserve, 2-nights on full board basis.

Day 8Quetzal Biotope Reserve and Flores

Early this morning we get another chance to look for resplendental quetzal and other cloud forest birds, before driving to Flores in the Petén region with occasional stops to look for wildlife end route.

Accommodation: Flores, 1-night on full board basis.

Day 9Tikal National Park

After breakfast we leave Flores and drive west to a wetland and grassland area to search for flycatchers, raptors, herons and kingfishers. We then continue to Tikal National Park, where we look for wildlife such as orange-breasted falcon and oscillated turkey, together with howler and spider monkeys, around the imposing Mayan ruins and pyramids.

Accommodation: Tikal, 3-nights on full board basis.

Day 10Full day birdwatching in Tikal National Park

Today is an early start as we go on a birdwatching tour in Tikal National Park. Tikal is part of the nucleus areas of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, with a high level of conservation activities and research. After breakfast we take an archaeological tour to learn about the history of this fascinating site. The monuments, remnants of the ancient Maya culture located in the middle of luxuriant jungle, are ideal places for birdwatching and we look for interesting species such as ocellated turkey, orange-breasted falcon, Yucatan jay, white-fronted parrot, slaty-tailed trogon, keel-billed toucan, Montezuma’s oropendola and several species of hummingbirds. After lunch, we can stay as a group to do more birdwatching and possibly visit the site museum, or do our own sightseeing among the Mayan ruins.

Day 11Yaxha National Park

After an early breakfast we travel to Yaxha National Park. We will start our tour on the trails and causeways of this fantastic reserve located on the shores of a lake of the same name. The forests that surround the Mayan site are very well preserved and the Yaxha Lagoon is one of the most important water systems in the Maya Biosphere. This location, in the middle of a tropical rainforest, has reported 150 bird species, 40 species of mammals, 14 amphibians, 45 reptiles, and 22 species of fish.

Day 12Tikal National Park, Flores and Guatemala City

After an early breakfast followed by a further exploration of Tikal National Park, in the late morning we drive back to Flores for lunch then take an afternoon flight back to Guatemala City. We transfer to the charismatic UNESCO heritage town of Antigua for our last night and farewell dinner.

Accommodation: Antigua, 1-night on full board basis.

Day 13At leisure then depart for the UK

This morning is at leisure to take in the incredible atmosphere of Antigua, before transferring to Guatemala City for our overnight flight to London.

Day 14Arrive UK

What’s included

All prices are per person and include:

Services of the naturalist leader

Flights

Transfers

Accommodation

All meals

Guided activities

2nd leader subject to minimum numbers

Further tour info

Accommodation

The hotels we stay in are all comfortable and clean, although one or two are more rustic than others.

In Tikal National Park there is sometimes no electricity between 2200 and 0600.

In particular, please note: It is a condition of joining our holidays that you must be fully insured against medical and personal accident risks. We strongly recommend having insurance in place from the point of booking confirmation, with adequate cancellation protection to cover your deposit.

I as lead traveller have read and accept The Travelling Naturalist’s conditions of booking on behalf of all people party to this booking.